Toowoomba community services ‘swamped’ with requests

Tom has been with News Regional Media since 2013, having worked in newsrooms across south-west Queensland. Prior to his appointment at The Chronicle, he was the editor of the Western Star in Roma for 18 months. Growing up in Brisbane, he studied journalism at Queensland University of Technology. Away from work, he is happily in a relationship with his partner Sarah and enjoys playing music with his band in Toowoomba and supporting the Brisbane Broncos.

"Recently, we've had families that have self-isolated with their children, have no cash, no transport and no food, so we've been able to arrange for food drop-offs," Mr Tuffield said at a news conference with Mayor Paul Antonio today.

"We expect those are going to increase as the days go on.

"The demand for financial counselling is off the scale, and we're trying to recruit an additional counsellor to help take that demand load, so we can help more people navigate their financial situation.

"In the build up to coronavirus, demand for financial counselling was always high but this has pushed it to another level.

"These are people who are not only trying to work through their household budgets, but also much more complex issues like rentals, leases and other arrangements."

Mr Tuffield said while the region's NGOs were holding firm, demand for food was expected to go up soon.

"We're managing it at a moment, but I feel we're in a calm before the storm, and I say that because the family payments of $750 will have gone through, but when the money runs thin we will get more requests for support," he said.

Mr Tuffield said Lifeline, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul op-shops were all still open, and virtually Toowoomba organisations were offering assistance to people.

"The Basement's Nat and Tiff Spary are providing hot meals between 11am and 1pm between Monday to Friday at the moment," he said.

"They're also issuing swags to people battling homelessness, and they're doing that between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

"Don't be afraid to reach out - I'm aware there are going to be different challenges that we're facing daily."

Cr Antonio praised the work of the NGOs, urging people to continue supporting them.